The FSSAI would associate with central and state government agencies, consumer organisations, NGOs and other institutions for undertaking surveys and food quality tests, etc under its IEC activities.

In an attempt to have stricter vigilance over food products after incidents like Maggi noodles and other similar packaged products which were found hazardous to human health, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which functions under Union Health Ministry, has decided to outsource surveys and food testing to various organisations related to food safety.

Under a funding scheme, the FSSAI would associate with central and state government agencies, consumer organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other institutions, including government universities and colleges working in the area of food safety for undertaking surveys and food quality tests, etc under its Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities.

New surveys

Till now, in a bid to ensure food safety, the FSSAI by itself conducted surveys of enforcement and administration of the Act in various parts of the country. They searched, collected and analysed relevant information relating to food consumption and exposure of individuals, risks, incidence and prevalence of biological risks, contaminants in food and residues of various contaminants, etc.

The food safety authority has also been undertaking activities and programmes for dissemination of Information, Education and Awareness in this regard through the media and also through association with different organisations and institutions.

"However, recognising that effective enforcement of the provisions of the Food Safety Act and the rules and regulations primarily rest with the states and union territories. There also a need for greater focus on these activities. The need for a scheme in this regard does not need to be overstated," a senior official in the FSSAI said.

"The most important and critical stakeholder in food safety is the consumer, who is directly impacted by the safety of food in the country. It is necessary for the authority to stay engaged with the consumers and apprise them of the emerging trends in food safety so that their concerns are appropriately reflected in the food safety system in the country. Keeping this in mind, the scheme has been framed for inviting and processing proposals from various agencies, NGOs, schools, colleges and universities working in the area of food safety," the official added.

The organisations will be given a free hand to carry out testing of ingredients in key food products and undertake surveys on various aspects of food safety, including surveys on parameters like hygiene being followed by food business operators as per Schedule IV of the FSS (Licensing and Registration) Regulation, 2011.

"The organisations which will join handds with the FSSAI will also be doing capacity building and skill enhancement of small food business operators or street food vendors. Innovative projects, which will involve the community in promoting food safety practices, raising hygiene levels, inculcate habit of reading food labels etc, awareness campaigns on food safety, including importance of reading food labels, detection of adulteration, hygienic practices, selection of food for consumption etc in schools and colleges for students, teachers and parents will also be undertaken," said the official.